chair
chair — noun
1. something to sit on that has a support at the back for leaning against and four
something to sit on that has a support at the back for leaning against and four legs, built for just one person to use
The old wooden chair creaked loudly when Ravi sat down after dinner.
collocation: wooden chair
Aiko pulled up a chair and joined everyone at the kitchen table.
phrasal verb: pull up a chair
Each child carried a small plastic chair to the garden for outdoor story time.
The dining chair near the window has a soft cushion that the cat loves.
Wen's grandmother bought four matching chairs from the local furniture store.
文法句型
countable noun
常見錯誤
2. a device used by some governments to carry out a death sentence by sending a ver
a device used by some governments to carry out a death sentence by sending a very strong flow of electricity through a person's body, or the use of this device as punishment
The state of Georgia last used the electric chair to execute a prisoner in 2010.
collocation: the electric chair
Farouk read a book about a death-row inmate who waited eleven years for the chair.
informal: the chair
Many human-rights groups argue that the chair is a cruel form of punishment.
The documentary traced the electric chair's history from its first use in 1890.
- electric chair
the full, formal name for this device; 'chair' is the shortened, informal version
文法句型
the + noun
用法筆記
Informal shortening of 'electric chair.' Almost always used with the definite article ('the chair'). More common in American English than British English.
3. the person who leads and directs a formal gathering, committee, or official grou
the person who leads and directs a formal gathering, committee, or official group, or the role that this person holds
The chair called the committee meeting to order at exactly nine o'clock.
collocation: chair calls a meeting
Dr. Okafor has served as board chair for the local hospital since 2019.
collocation: board chair
As chair of the finance committee, Nadia reviews every budget proposal carefully.
The chair asked each team member to speak for no more than five minutes.
- chairperson
gender-neutral term for the same role, increasingly preferred in formal contexts
- chairman
traditional term, implies a male holder of the position
- chairwoman
term used specifically for a female holder of the position
- president
used for the head of a larger organization or country, carrying more authority
文法句型
the + noun + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'of' followed by the group name (chair of the committee). Can refer either to the position itself or the person holding it. Increasingly replaced by 'chairperson' in official titles to avoid gender assumptions.
常見錯誤
4. the person who leads an academic unit such as a department at a school of higher
the person who leads an academic unit such as a department at a school of higher education, or the role itself
Professor Tomás was appointed chair of the Physics Department last spring.
collocation: chair of the [Department]
The department chair approved the new course on climate science for next term.
collocation: department chair
As department chair, Esme meets with every new teacher at the start of the year.
Hana asked the department chair about funding for her research project.
- head of department
more commonly used term in British universities for the same role
- department head
alternative term, especially in US institutions
文法句型
the + noun + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Restricted to academic contexts. Equivalent to 'head of department' at many universities. Not used for non-academic departments within companies or government agencies.
5. a senior academic position at a university, especially one that has been named a
a senior academic position at a university, especially one that has been named after a person or funded by an organization
Yara was offered a chair in medieval literature at the University of Bologna.
grammar: chair in [subject]
The university created a new chair in artificial intelligence for the engineering school.
collocation: create a chair
Professor Beatriz holds the endowed chair of environmental studies at the college.
The physics chair has been vacant since Professor Chen retired two years ago.
- professorship
more general term for any university teaching position at senior level
- endowed chair
a professorship funded by a dedicated financial donation
文法句型
a + noun + in + subject
用法筆記
Often modified by an adjective naming the type of position (endowed chair, named chair, research chair). The phrase 'chair in [subject]' specifies the academic field. Distinguished from sense 4 by focusing on the professorial rank rather than the administrative role.
6. the specific seat or position that a musician holds within an orchestra, which s
the specific seat or position that a musician holds within an orchestra, which shows their rank and role in the group
First-chair violinist Mei played the solo with remarkable skill at the concert.
collocation: first chair
The orchestra's principal cellist has held that chair for over twelve years.
collocation: hold a chair
Zane earned the first trumpet chair after a difficult audition in January.
The conductor asked the horn player to take a different chair in the brass section.
- seat
more general term; 'chair' is the specialized orchestral term for position or rank
文法句型
ordinal + noun
用法筆記
Always used with an ordinal number or the word 'principal' (first chair, second chair, principal chair). Refers to the player's rank within their instrument section — first chair is the section leader.
常見錯誤
chair — verb
1. to serve as the leader of a formal event such as a meeting, committee session, o
to serve as the leader of a formal event such as a meeting, committee session, or discussion, ensuring the agenda is followed and the event runs smoothly
Priya chaired the weekly staff meeting every Tuesday morning at the office.
grammar: chair + [meeting]
The board asked Ines to chair the fundraising committee for the coming year.
grammar: chair + [committee]
A senior judge chaired the public inquiry into safety at the railway station.
The annual conference was chaired by a well-known professor from Taiwan.
- preside over
more formal and slightly longer, often used in legal or ceremonial contexts
- lead
broader term that can apply to any group or activity, not just formal meetings
- moderate
specifically used for discussions, debates, or panels
文法句型
chair + noun phrase (meeting/committee/event)
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice ('The meeting was chaired by...'). Objects are always formal events or groups (meeting, committee, conference, panel, session), never people or locations.